Tentative teachers’ contract agreement reached

MANCHESTER, NH – The Manchester Education Association and Manchester Board of School Committee have announced a tentative agreement of a teachers’ contract. That last contract expired in 2013, and negotiations between the two parties have been ongoing until now.

“I would like to thank the MEA negotiations committee and team who worked diligently to place member’s concerns at the forefront of the negotiations,” said MEA president Ben Dick. “Everyone worked for the best interest of the members, and in the end we were able to reach a deal that reflects the desires of the MEA membership and addressed the concerns of the BOSC.”

Highlights of the proposed contract include changes to salary schedules and health insurance plans.

“We are confident that we achieved the best outcome possible that’s fair to our teachers and maintains our fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers of Manchester,” said school board negotiations committee chairman, John Avard of Ward 10.

If approved, the agreement also would return the academic calendar to an hours-based schedule, which proved popular with teachers and parents during the 2013-14 school year. It means longer school days and a number of built-in snow days that don’t have to be made up in June.

The proposed contract is expected to be voted on by the MEA membership next week.